Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a fair question and the Deputy did not mishear me. Discussions have taken place at official level and I will be involved further discussions in the next week or two. It is my strong view that before entering negotiations - technically, under competition legislation, they are probably not negotiations - or discussions with a professional body, we should first come to the House and obtains its assent to proceed. At present, I do not have the legislative power to do it, so how could I possibly agree anything until the Bill is passed? I do not have the power to agree anything or to even introduce a scheme. We also need money to do it and that will require the Estimates to be passed. It is appropriate that I come to the House of the people to ask it to give me the legislative power to do this and, through the Estimates, the money to pay for it. Then I will talk to the interest groups, professional bodies, unions and the people who represent them. This is what was done for free GP care for children aged under six and people over 70. First we provided for it in the Estimates, then we legislated for it and negotiated the contract with the GPs.